Ask Yavin IV It Goes Without Saying...

[Ruzaan Kai]

The klikniks had a head start, but the Force was with the Padawans as they raced through the jungle of Yavin IV. The bugs came into view on the western end of a small clearing, a downed tree blocking the path that they wished to take. Instead of going around, the kliknik's simple brains decreed that they had to go through the obstacle, and two of the four were spitting acid onto the nearly two-meter wide trunk while the other two, including the one carrying Kift, chittered impatiently.

Ruzaan ducked behind a tree on the eastern side of the clearing, taking a few breaths to calm his racing mind and racing pulse. He and Elidan had about two minutes before the klikniks broke through; enough time to enact a hasty plan. As grateful as Ruzaan was for the reprieve, the he could've done without the impressive display of the acid's potency as it burned through the wood. He was nervous enough as it was, and his hands trembled slightly as he signed over to Elidan. "Plan?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

The Padawans finally managed to catch up with the klikniks. The insectoid creatures had stopped in a clearing and some of them were trying to destroy the trunk of a downed tree. Elidan remembers reading that these creatures always marked the path to their nests by using pheromones. Their urge to follow it was so strong that if something blocked the path, the klikniks would do anything to remove it. They never go around.

The half-Sephi followed Ruzaan, hiding with him behind a tree on the opposite side of the clearing. Turning to the other boy, Elidan saw the Togruta sign asking for a plan. He frowned and started to think what they could do. The insectoids would soon dissolve the trunk, he needed to be fast.

"We could find a way of dispersing them. If the kliknik that is carrying the Youngling is alone, I think that we can easily subdue it." Elidan signed to the Togruta, this plan was probably stupid, but it was the only thing that he could think at the moment. "I know that these creatures are afraid of fire, they enter in panic by only seeing it. Maybe we could use it."

However, his plan had a problem. How were they going to make fire? It needed to be made fast, because it was a matter of time until the kliknik destroyed the trunk.


@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

Ruzaan's brows knitted together as he pondered the half-Sephi's idea; Elidan clearly knew more about these creatures than he did, but the Togruta had reservations. "Fire in a forest like this?" he signed over. Lighting any type of flame carried risks that extended far beyond the livelihood of those present right now.

What I wouldn't do for a big can of bug spray right now Ruzaan thought to himself, trying to come up with an alternative idea. His track record of planning was not a good one, however- they usually involved great bodily risk and foolhardy stunts, like crashing a speeder bike into a Hutt's pleasure yacht.. "What else do you know about these creatures?" he signed to Elidan. Maybe there was another weakness they could exploit. "And if push comes to shove, do you have a lightsaber?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

Elidan’s face became red with shame, when he realized how silly his idea was. Of course using fire in a forest would not only be stupid, but also very dangerous. The flames could spread and burn everything. They would need to find another way to deal with the klikniks.

After he saw Ruzaan sign to him, asking about what more he knew about the creature, the half-Sephi tried to remember something that could be useful to use against them. “The structure on their heads are sensory organs that are used to identify odors, tastes, sounds and help balance. If we cut them off, the klikniks would be completely confused. I read that there are studies that say that in addition to fire, very strong artificial lights also scare them. But it still neet to be scientifically proven” he signed to the Togruta. These would still be dangerous, but were their best chances to save the Youngling.

“Yes, I have a lightsaber.” then he pointed to the saber that was at his belt “We can use it for any of these two plans that I told you. To cut the structure on their heads or to try to scare them with it. Which one do you think that it’s the best?”

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

Ruzaan considered the two options that Elidan gave him, impressed with the half-Sephi's knowledge. "I'm glad you're here" he signed over. "I wouldn't know where to start." Ruzaan tended to throw himself into situations without taking a moment to think; Elidan was already being a good influence for him. The fact that Elidan also carried a lightsaber was of great comfort as well; the odds might be stacked against the Padawans, but at least they could defend themselves.

After another moment of consideration, Ruzaan turned back to Elidan. "Let's see if we can scare them off first, then if we need to we can try to disable them." The Togruta was loathe to harm the insects, but they couldn't allow Kift to be eaten. The klikniks were nearly 3/4 of the way through the tree. "You ready?" Ruzaan signed, then grabbed his lightsaber. Once Elidan signlaed affirmative, he would charge out and ignite his double-bladed lightsaber.

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

Elidan smiled at Ruzaan, happy for what the other said. Since he didn’t have a Master, the half-Sephi rarely left the Temple. This way he never had the opportunity to use most of the things that he read and studied about. He was happy that his knowledge was finally going to be useful.

He nodded, agreeing with what the Togruta had said. They would need to be careful, the possibility of the klikniks being scared of strong artificial lights wasn't proven scientifically. This could be false and the creatures could become annoyed by them approaching.

Even if this information proved to be wrong, Elidan still prefered to try to scare the creatures rather than hurt them, after all they weren't evil. Like all animals, the klikniks were acting by instinct. They were hunting so they could have food for the other members of the hive. However, the Padawans couldn't allow the Youngling to be killed by the insectoids.

"Yes, I'm." he would sign to the other boy. Then he would watch Ruzaan charge out, with his lightsaber ignited. Elidan would soon follow him, igniting his own saber, making its blade to illuminate his surroundings with a green colored light. While the two approached the klikniks, the half-Sephi would hold his saber in front of his body and pointing it toward the creatures, hoping that its light would scare the insectoids.


@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

Ruzaan would've charged in alone if he'd needed to, but having Elidan alongside him made all the difference in the world for the young Togruta. His reason for fighting was clear- always an important step in combat for Ruzaan- but fighting with someone else gave him confidence. As a result, Ruzaan felt unstoppable and shouted a battle cry in his native tongue. As the leader of their small charge, double-bladed lightsaber blazing, he very quickly had the undivided attention of the klikniks. "Go for Kift!" Ruzaan called to Elidan.

Kliknik #1, who had been spitting acid on the tree, scuttled away in fear of the sudden noise and gleam of their lightsabers. Klikniks #2 and #3 hurried to form a defensive line and each spit a glob of acid at the approaching Padawans. Ruzaan channeled the Force into his body and leapt up and forward, clearing the acid as well as the space between the two insects. As Ruzaan sailed between them, his legs lashed out at their heads in a perfectly-executed split kick that connected solidly with their sensory organs atop their heads; right where Elidan had suggested striking. By the time Ruzaan hit the ground, both klikniks were staggering away and out of the fight; disoriented by the sudden shock.

That just left kliknik #4, the biggest of the squad, which stood menacingly over the form of young Kift. Their charge and Ruzaan's attack had taken out three of the four, but his kick had taken him far enough away from kliknik #4 that Elidan would have the best chance of rescuing Kift. Mentally, Ruzaan urged his new friend on.

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

While they charged against the klikniks, Elidan heard Ruzaan screaming. It didn't sound like a simple scream, but some of the type that some warrior cultures used before going to battle. Since the Togruta came from a culture where hunts were important, he supposed that it was something that the people of Shili used to do during this type of situation.

The half-Sephi nodded to Ruzaan, when he said to him go save Krift. He ran toward the kliknik, while holding his lightsaber vertically in front of his body. The creatures had stopped spitting acid on the tree trunk, surprised with the Togruta's scream and their charge.

One ran away, while three remained. Two klikniks spit acid toward the Padawans. Elidan would gather the Force around himself to jump, this way avoiding the substance. He would land behind the creatures and more close to the insectoid that was carrying Krift.

Soon, Ruzaan was able to scare the other insectoids, leaving the one that was guarding the Youngling for Elidan to deal with. The kliknik would charge against him, but it would recoil when the half-Selphi pointed his lightsaber toward its eyes. This was the proof that the rumors were true, these creatures were really afraid of strong artificial lights.

Seeing that the creature was distracted, Elidan would do what Ruzaan did with the other klikniks. The half-Sephi jumped and kicked the insectoid in its sensory organ with all his strength. Now being disoriented and in pain, it would run deep into the woods, leaving Krift behind.

"Check him. I'll stay alert ro see if they not come back." Elidan would sign to Ruzaan. The Togruta would be better to deal with, Youngling. After all the half-Sephi can't speak, how would he be able to ask if Krift was fine?

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

A wide grin spread across Ruzaan's face as Elidan showcased impressive skill, the half-Sephi jumping even higher that Ruzaan had in order to kick the sensory organ atop the final, biggest kliknik's head. "Nice work!" As it skittered away into the jungle, Ruzaan caught a flash of sign language from Elidan, instructing him to check on Kift.

Ruzaan hurried over to the young Corellian and knelt down next to them, concern quickly rising in the Togruta's face. Kift was conscious but bleeding heavily from several wounds and had been for some time. The boy was babbling incoherently and Ruzaan quickly realized that the boy's injuries were beyond his strength to heal. The Togruta looked around and his eyes settled upon Elidan, just as Kift passed out in his arms.

"Elidan, I need your help!" he called out. "He's gonna bleed out unless we can heal him; can you lend me your strength? I can't do this alone."

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

While Ruzaan went to check Krift, Elidan stayed on guard. He was looking in the direction to where the klikniks had fled. Even with them having successfully scared the creatures, they could still return. The two couldn’t lower the guard. With his Sephi hearing, the boy paid close attention to any noise that could denounce the return of the insectoids.

However, he turned to the Togruta when the boy said that Krift was hurt and asked for Elidan's help in healing the Youngling. The half-Sephi ran to where Ruzaan was and kneeled next to the young boy. He grimaced after seeing his state. These wounds probably were the result of the Youngling trying to escape.

Elidan isn’t an expert on Force healing, but with him and Ruz working together they would be able to heal him. The half-Sephi would put his left hand at the Togruta's shoulder, while with the other he would touch Krift's body. Then he would close his eyes.

He would gather the Force around himself and Ruzaan, sharing with the Togruta his strength and peace. He would focus on Krift, visualizing his wounds being healed. With the two working together, the Youngling would be healed.

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

Ruzaan closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, forcing his heart to stop pounding as the adrenaline of battle ebbed from his system. He felt a hand on his shoulder as Elidan responded to his request for help, and the Togruta sank into a meditative trance as he focused his energies on healing Kift, trying not to think about how vulnerable they were at the moment. If the klikniks decided to come back with reinforcements... Ruzaan banished the thought from his head.

Once again, Ruzaan felt a surge of gratitude as he sensed the half-Sephi working alongside him; Elidan was strong in the Force, and hadn't been afraid to follow Ruzaan- someone he'd just met- into a very dangerous situation. But even with Elidan's assistance, Ruzaan was not optimistic about Kift's chances for survival. He could sense the boy fighting for his life, and Force Healing could only do so much. Ruzaan poured as much of his energy as he dared into closing the grievous wounds all over Kift's body before collapsing onto his back, staring straight up at the Yavin sky. Grey dots of fatigue danced across his vision, and he resisted the urge to curl up and take a nap right then and there.

Struggling back up into a kneeling position next to Kift and Elidan, Ruzaan looked over their patient. Kift's eyes were open and the Corellian no longer appeared to be bleeding. "What happened?" the boy asked. "Where am I? Who are you? What happened to the klikniks? Am I a Force Ghost?"

Ruzaan waved a hand wearily, wilting under the barrage of questions from the curious youngling. "I'm Ruzaan" he replied, then decided to answer for the half-Sephi; hopefully Elidan wouldn't mind. "And this is Elidan. We'll fill you in on the way back to the temple. Can you walk?" Ruzaan sure hoped so. He wasn't sure what state Elidan was in, but Ruzaan could barely keep his eyes open.

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

While the two were healing the Youngling together, Elidan could feel Ruzaan's emotions more easily. When the Togruta was becoming nervous, the half-Sephi would gently tighten his hold on the other boy’s shoulder to reassure Ruz that he was there. He would also make peace flow from him to the other through the Force.

Even with the two working together, the chances of Krift being totally healed were few. The Youngling had several wounds and the half-Sephi never learned much of Force healing, only how to alleviate the fatigue of his own body. Due to that, Elidan was pouring the maximum amount of power that he could. It was working, but at the same time he was becoming exhausted.

After some effort, the Padawans were able to heal Krift's most grievous wounds. Elidan let go of Ruzaan's shoulder and put his two hands on the forest floor. He felt nauseous, his vision was starting to become blurred and several dark spots were dancing around. The half-Sephi was so dizzy from the effort that he didn’t even notice the Togruta collapsing onto his back.

While Ruzaan talked with the Youngling, Elidan was fighting to not faint. The black dots on his vision were becoming large. The half-Sephi would turn to the Togruta when he heard the other mention his name. He would give him a weak smile, then his vision became totally black. His body would become limp and he would faint. Falling toward Ruzaan, Elidan’s head would hit the other’s chest. If the Togruta did nothing, he would fall face down.

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

Kift's answer to Ruzaan's question was rendered meaningless as Elidan promptly fainted. With little time to react and fatigue slowing his reactions, Ruzaan wasn't able to catch the half-Sephi by the shoulders like he'd hoped. Instead, his arms straddled either side of the Padawan while Elidan's head bonked against Ruzaan's chest. Kift stifled a giggle at the ridiculous scene, but Ruzaan was too tired to care. As gently as he could, Ruzaan laid Elidan down in the rescue position, pondering their next move. If only there was some way to call for assistance... Ruzaan looked over at Elidan's datapad, an idea forming in his head.

The Togruta grabbed the boy's datapad and stared at it quizzically. It was a different model than the one he was learning to use, and he tried pushing the button that looked to be the most worn. "Hello, my name is Elidan and I have mutism" the screen read.

Nope, that wasn't it. Ruzaan tried a different button. "Sorry for disturbing you. I'm already going away" the datapad offered helpfully. The Togruta growled in the back of his throat; how did these things work?

"Whatcha doing?" asked Kift, startling Ruzaan as the padawan contemplated drop-kicking the unhelpful piece of technology. "Are you playing Wampa Rush?"

"Uh... no" replied Ruzaan, suddenly conscious of the privacy of Elidan's datapad and pulling it away from the youngling. "Just trying to sent an SOS." Come on, Elidan, wake up please! he thought, glancing down at his new friend. He couldn't spare any more energy to try and heal the half-Sephi.

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

While he was drifting between consciousness and unconsciousness, Elidan became delirious, seeing himself back on Ajan Kloss. There he was once again a shy eleven years old boy, who could still talk, playing with his friends. These memories of happy times would make the half-Sephi lips move in a slight smile.

However, his happy memories started to be overcome by darkness. Ruzaan would be able to see Elidan's face contorting with fear. Suddenly he was back watching his friends being massacred by the Sith Acolytes. Their laugh and the scream of the Younglings filled his ears.

Elian jolted from where he was laying down, his vision was blurred due to some tears. Noticing that there was someone with lekkus beside him and still being confused by the exhaustion, the half-Sephi would think that the person was Zana. Then he would throw himself at them, hugging the other. He remembered how the girl helped him during the early months after Ajan Kloss.

While he hugged the other, some tears would roll through his cheeks, falling at the person's shoulder. He hoped that Zana would not mind her clothes becoming damp with it, or how he was holding her so tight. Elidan would use the support of a friendly presence to help him focus and use the Force to calm himself.

After his vision cleared and he calmed down, Elidan remembered what happened early and that the person that he was hugging wasn't Zana, but Ruzaan. Now he could clearly see his montrals. With his face red with shame, the half-Sephi would let go of the other boy.

"I'm sorry." he would sign to the Togruta, his hands shaking. Now the other would probably think that he was weird for hugging him "I was a bit confused because of the exhaustion. What happened after we healed Krift?"

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

As if he'd heard Ruzaan's mental plea, Elidan jerked awake. But then the half-Sephi practically tackled Ruzaan, hugging him tightly and crying. Again unprepared and busy trying to work Elidan's datapad (seriously, how did the boy put up with this?), the Togruta found his arms and the datapad pinned to his chest. He didn't resist the hug, however- he was too tired to put up much of a fight, and he'd been in Elidan's shoes before; once the adrenaline wore off, other strong emotions could be processed.

Patiently, he waited until Elidan released him, ignoring the snickers from young Kift. Ruzaan was always willing to support his friends, even if they admitted to being confused, as Elidan did. "No problem" Ruzaan brushed away the half-Sephi's apology. "I'm just happy to see you upright; you fainted after we healed Kift."

"Healed" was stretching the truth. Kift still looked to be in pain, and he needed better medical care than the two Padawans could give him. Ruzaan quickly handed Elidan his datapad back, quickly trying to explain why he'd picked up such a personal item in the first place. "Kift shouldn't walk, so I was trying to contact the Temple for help. The Klikniks might come back."

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

Elidan smiled at the other Padawan, his face still red from what happened. He was grateful that the other boy wasn't mad with the hug. The half-Sephi couldn’t believe that he had confused Ruzaan with Zana. He probably made much effort in healing Krift. Even with him being delirious, there was no reason for his confusion. They were very different.

Both had lekkus, but the Togruta had the montrals. Zana was pretty, while Ruzaan was cute. This thought made the half-Sephi blush, does he really think that the other boy was cute? However, the redness of his face soon disappeared. They were friends, there was no problem with that. Friends can think that the others were pretty and cute, right?

His musings were interrupted by Ruzaan asking him to contact the Temple. Elidan picked his Datapad from the Togruta’s hand and sent a message to his therapist, the Jedi Healer Asadra Seh. He could have called other adults, but with Krift needing medical care the Twi’lek was perfect for that.

Soon an answer arrived, seeing it made the half-Sephi smile. “Help is coming. Healer Seh and two knights are already coming there.” he signed to the Togruta. He was grateful for Asadra being so helpful, even with her being busy at the Medical bay and therapy most of the time. With the war against the Sith intensifying, the number of traumatized Jedi that she helps is growing each day.

After some time Asadra arrived, being followed by two other Jedi. She rushed to where the three boys were on the floor. She kneeled near the Youngling and started to carefully look at his injuries “What happened there exactly? Elidan’s message only said that you two saved Krift of some klikniks and that he was hurt.” she asked both of them. Elidan was too tired to respond with the sign language, so he let the explanation for Ruzaan.

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

Ruzaan signed in relief as Elidan confirmed that their distress signal had been received, completely misinterpreting the half-Sephi's blush and ascribing it to exhaustion. The next several minutes passed in relative silence and Ruzaan focused on keeping his senses on alert for returning klikniks. As tired as he was, however, all he would be able to do was warn the others that they were about to become lunch.

Mercifully, the Jedi rescue team found them before anything else did, led by a Twi'lek named Asadra who calmly started checking the boys for injury while inquiring about how they'd ended up in this situation to begin with. Elidan looked to Ruzaan, and Ruzaan looked back. Was there really that much more to tell? Although succinct, it captured the sequence of events well and Ruzaan wasn't about to include embarrassing details like him startling Elidan into falling out of a tree...

Instead, the Togruta kept his response short as well. "That's mostly what happened; I saw Kift being carried away, so Elidan and I chased down the klikniks and drove them off. You should've seen Elidan take out their leader!" Ruzaan smiled at the mental image of the half-Sephi expertly dispatching the largest of the klikniks. Elidan deserved praise for his bravery and his actions here today.

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

Ruzaan’s explanation seemed to be satisfactory for Asadra and the other Jedi. Elidan was grateful that the Togruta didn’t mention how he fell from the tree when they met. It was a shameful fact that he preferred that no one else knew. While he heard the other boy explaining what happened, the half-Sephi couldn’t avoid blushing when the other said that he had taken out the leader. It was so strange to have someone giving him praise.

“It was dangerous! You two should have called the knights to help and not risked your lives. The klikniks could have captured you too.” Asadra said, then she looked toward Krift. The Youngling was being carried by one of the Jedi Knights, a male Chagrian. “However, if it wasn’t for you two acting quick, Krift would have more injuries. You two put the safety of someone else before yours. It is a great example of selflessness, one of the virtues of a Jedi. Good work!” she said, smiling at them. Then the Twi’lek’s expression became more serious “But I’m still going to tell it to the Council. What you did was dangerous!”

Elidan’s ears flattened, they were probably going to receive some punishment. He hoped that it was something in the Archives, at least he could read some holobooks. Asadra looked to the trees before turning back to them “The klikniks never approached the Temple this way or attacked someone before.” she frowned, something wasn’t right. She could feel it in the Force. “Can you two walk? We need to return to the Temple, these creatures will come back in large numbers.” she would approach the half-Sephi and help him stand up. Meanwhile, the other Jedi Knight, a female Devaronian, would help Ruzaan.

Soon the group would start to walk back to the Temple. Due to him still being tired due to using the Force to heal Krift, Elidan felt his legs still a bit weak and he ended up needing help to walk. He leaned on Asadra, his right arm around her neck. He looked at Ruzaan and smiled. Even if he ended up being punished for what happened today, the half-Sephi was happy for meeting the Togruta. Now he had another friend.

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

"Yes" Ruzaan replied to the question about whether or not he could walk, struggling to his feet and immediately realizing that no, he could not walk. Thankfully, there was one Jedi Knight left to help support him; a female Devaronian by the name of Mah'rah. Ruzaan wanted to protest at Asadra's comments; sometimes the older Jedi were far too concerned about things like danger and risks when they should really be concerned about results. But the Twi'lek's comment about the kliknik's odd behavior and his own exhaustion kept him from arguing with the Healer on the way back.

Thankfully, the Jedi made it back to the temple without incident. Asadra marched them straight to the infirmary, placing Kift in a more supervised area and leaving the Padawans in a couple of spare beds in a quiet section of the infirmary. "The Council may wish to question you later, but I've told them that you're on bed rest until tomorrow morning. You two very nearly pushed too far when you tried to heal Kift. I've ordered some food from the kitchens to be sent up." The food arrived less than 5 minutes later, and Ruzaan scarfed down the hot soup. He hadn't realized how hungry he was- a side effect of the day's exertion, he presumed. The Togruta ate voraciously and Asadra, content that the two were settled in, left to check on Kift. "Get some rest; I'll see you two in the morning."

No sooner had the door closed as Ruzaan looked over at Elidan. He clinked his spoon a couple times on the side of his bowl to get the boy's attention, then signed over to the half-Sephi. "You ready to go back out there?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

With the help of the adults, the three would arrive at the Temple. Elidan was grateful for the klikniks not having returned. Asadra was right, when he had read about these creatures, the half-Sephi discovered that they would bring more individuals to subdue the prey that proved to be difficult.

At the Temple, they were left by the Knights at the Medical bay. While Krift was sent to a section where the healers would continue treating his injuries, Elidan and Ruzaan stayed in a quiet part of the infirmary. The half-Sephi was in a bed beside the one where the Togruta was.

When Asadra mentioned that the Council would want to talk with them, Elidan's ears twitched. He knew that they would need to explain to the Masters what happened, but it still made the half-Sephi nervous. He never did something that would need to receive any type of punishment. The half-Sephi was always a perfect student in all his classes, never receiving a detention.

However, the knowledge that Krift was safe, made the half-Sephi satisfied. Even if they were punished, the Youngling was alive and well. It was far more important than his nervousness.

The mention of food made Elidan notice how hungry he was. He was grateful that the soup didn't take much time to arrive. It seemed to be delicious. While he ate slowly, savouring its delicious flavor, the half-Sephi looked toward Ruzaan. The Togruta was scarfing it like it was his last meal.

Elidan dropped his spoon on the bowl when he heard the Togruta ask if he was prepared to return to the jungle. He turned to Ruzaan, staring at the boy wide eyed. Why did he want to go back? It was too dangerous. They were lucky to be able to save Krift and not get hurt in the process. They were already going to have problems with the Council, if they returned there they would probably receive months of detention!

However, seeing the determination on Ruzaan's eyes, Elidan was certain that even if he refused the Togruta would go there alone. The half-Sephi doubted that he would be even capable of convincing the other boy to not go there.

"Why do you want to go back there?" Elidan signed to Ruzaan. He wanted to understand what were the reasons for him going back to the jungle. However, independent of the Togruta's answer, Elidan already had a decision. "Yes, I'll go there with you." the half-Sephi would smile at the other boy. He would not let him risk himself there alone.


@SlagathorTheUnknown